United News of Bangladesh

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Monday ordered three senior journalists to be shown arrested and sent to jail in a crimes against humanity case related to the July uprising in 2024. The three journalists are former Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamal Dutta, Ekattor TV managing director and editor-in-chief Mozammel Babu, and its chief correspondent Farzana Rupa. Earlier, the tribunal had ordered the jail authorities to produce the three before it on Monday. Prosecutor Faruk Ahmed represented the prosecution during the hearing, while prosecutors Zahirul Amin, Marjina Raihan, Tarek Abdullah and others were present. Faruk Ahmed told the tribunal that production warrants were issued against the three journalists on August 17 in connection with the crimes against humanity case relating to the July uprising. As they were produced before the tribunal on Monday, the prosecution sought to show them arrested in the case and send them to jail. It also sought two months to submit the investigation report. According to the prosecution, then prime minister Sheikh Hasina held a press conference at Ganabhaban on July 14, 2024 when some journalists made provocative remarks while asking questions. Sheikh Hasina, in response, referred to the protesters as “children of razakars” and “granddaughters of razakars”.

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-2 on Wednesday ordered the start of trial proceedings against 30 accused in the murder case of Abu Sayed, the first martyr of the July Mass Uprising. A three-member tribunal led by ICT-Chairman Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury passed the order. The tribunal set August 27 and 28 to record testimonies from the witnesses in the case. All six arrested accused were produced before the tribunal in the morning. Those produced are Shariful Islam, former proctor of Begum Rokeya University, Sujan Chandra Roy, a former police constable, Imran Chowdhury Akash, a banned Chhatra League leader, Amir Hossain, a former assistant sub-inspector, Rafiul Hasan Russell and Anwar Parvez Apil, activists of the banned Chhatra League. Mother of Abu Sayed wishes to see her martyred son's dream for Bangladesh fulfilled Earlier, on July 30, the tribunal heard the state defence’s petition seeking exemption for 24 absconding accused. The prosecution formally filed charges on June 30 which were accepted by the tribunal the same day. Abu Sayed, an English department student of Begum Rokeya University, was shot dead by police on July 16 last year near Park Mor in front of the university, triggering severe outrage across the country.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Monday issued warrants for the arrest of 26 people, including Begum Rokeya University’s former Vice Chancellor Hasibur Rashid, in the Abu Sayed murder case. The three-member tribunal, headed by its Chairman Justice Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, passed the order after taking the charges against 30 accused into cognisance. The formal charges were submitted to the tribunal in the morning. Chief Prosecutor Advocate Md Tajul Islam read out the charges. Abu Sayed murder: ICT finds evidence against 30 people Former Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Moniruzzaman is also among those facing the arrest warrant, said sources at the court. Four accused -- former proctor of Begum Rokeya University Shariful Islam, former assistant sub-inspector of police Amir Hossain, police constable Sujan Chandra Roy and Bangladesh Chhatra League leader Imran Chowdhury -- are currently behind bars in the case. Earlier on June 24, the investigation agency submitted its report to the prosecution along with the weapon used in the sensational murder. Abu Sayed murder: ICT orders completing investigation within 2 months According to the report, a total of 30 people were involved in the killing of Abu Sayed during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in 2024. Abu Sayed was shot dead on July 16 last year in front of Begum Rokeya University at Park Mor in Rangpur.